Note For The Flight-Minded

[Crew Chief]

Does Connecticut even have the open land area to host the National Museum of the Air Force?

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Does Connecticut even have the open land area to host the National Museum of the Air Force?

The person Connecticut claims made the first flight, Gustave Whitehead was a German immigrant from the Boston area. He had done some early experiments while still in Germany. The name of what he called his airplane was the Condor. I have seen some pictures of it, and it kind of looks like a single wing held together by wire struts off a central mast. It is depicted as having two propellers, but the pictures were not taken at an angle to discern what the propulsion was, could be two rubber bands for all I know. There was also no evidence of a rudder, elevator, or anything else to steer it with. The only pictures I have found it is sitting on the ground. Have not found one yet claiming it to be in the air, and if so what year.

I know the Wrights did a tour of the country to demonstrate what their Flyer could do, and rapidly improved it in subsequent versions. I believe the lasting testimonials, WPAFB and the Air Force Muesum in Dayton, the Wright Aeronautical Co. in Cincinnati, should be enough to convince if not the first they were the ones who convinced the skeptics it could be practical.

[CarpathianPeasant]

Originally Posted by kjbrill

The person Connecticut claims made the first flight, Gustave Whitehead was a German immigrant from the Boston area. He had done some early experiments while still in Germany. The name of what he called his airplane was the Condor. I have seen some pictures of it, and it kind of looks like a single wing held together by wire struts off a central mast. It is depicted as having two propellers, but the pictures were not taken at an angle to discern what the propulsion was, could be two rubber bands for all I know. There was also no evidence of a rudder, elevator, or anything else to steer it with. The only pictures I have found it is sitting on the ground. Have not found one yet claiming it to be in the air, and if so what year.

I know the Wrights did a tour of the country to demonstrate what their Flyer could do, and rapidly improved it in subsequent versions. I believe the lasting testimonials, WPAFB and the Air Force Muesum in Dayton, the Wright Aeronautical Co. in Cincinnati, should be enough to convince if not the first they were the ones who convinced the skeptics it could be practical.

The Wright Brothers plane is often described/defined as the first practical airplane because it could turn in mid-air (bank) -- not the 1903 plane at Kitty Hawk but the 1905 plane at Huffman Prairie. Earlier aircraft were versions of a straight-line glider.

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by CarpathianPeasant

The Wright Brothers plane is often described/defined as the first practical airplane because it could turn in mid-air (bank) -- not the 1903 plane at Kitty Hawk but the 1905 plane at Huffman Prairie. Earlier aircraft were versions of a straight-line glider.

Just my point, they continued to improve it and rapidly. If not the first in flight, they were the first to do out and demonstrate the practicality of it. So they deserve the title.

[CarpathianPeasant]

Substantial loss here:

Jerry Sharkey and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park | www.daytondailynews.com

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by CarpathianPeasant

Substantial loss here:

Jerry Sharkey and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park | www.daytondailynews.com

We continue to lose so many more, just not Jerry Sharkey, but so many more who have contributed to this great USA. I wonder in the future where the great patriots are coming from.

[CarpathianPeasant]

Originally Posted by kjbrill

We continue to lose so many more, just not Jerry Sharkey, but so many more who have contributed to this great USA. I wonder in the future where the great patriots are coming from.

I can't believe it happened, but it did -- the link in kjbrill's quote above doesn't connect to the news story (mine, above that, does).

And, Mr. Brill, why don't you take a couple of minutes and see if you can reset it so it does connect to the news story?

Here's the obituary, which really tells the story.

Gerald Shea SHARKEY Obituary: View Gerald SHARKEY's Obituary by Dayton Daily News

[kjbrill]

Originally Posted by CarpathianPeasant

I can't believe it happened, but it did -- the link in kjbrill's quote above doesn't connect to the news story (mine, above that, does).

And, Mr. Brill, why don't you take a couple of minutes and see if you can reset it so it does connect to the news story?

Here's the obituary, which really tells the story.

Gerald Shea SHARKEY Obituary: View Gerald SHARKEY's Obituary by Dayton Daily News

If I knew how to do that I would. But these forums don't give you a great deal of information on how to manipulate them.